N95 face masks priority for healthcare personnel in ICU, COVID-19 wards - Noor Hisham

The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has stressed that the use of the N95 type masks is given priority to healthcare personnel in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) and COVID-19 treatment wards.

On the other hand, healthcare personnel in normal clinics can use a three-layer face mask when not dealing with COVID-19 patients.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah explained this when commenting on the shortage of N95 masks at the Kuching General Hospital in Sarawak recently.

He said the move was to ensure the N95 type face masks were only meant for needy healthcare workers.

"In terms of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the N95 type mask is dedicated to the Ministry of Health or front-line personnel facing patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as the COVID-19 treatment ward.

"(The staff) who are not in the COVID-19 ward may use a three-layer (face mask), no problem. But the N95 type mask, we have to be prudent as it is for those who are needing it in the ICU and COVID-19 wards.

"But if we do not have the N95, then the health personnel can use face shield and three-layer face mask for those working in the clinic and so on," he explained.

However, to ensure that supply was always available in every hospital that treats COVID-19, Dr Noor Hisham said the MOH will continue to distribute face masks especially the N95 type including in Sarawak and Sabah.